Quantitative assessment of nasal changes after maxillomandibular surgery using a 3-dimensional digital imaging system

To evaluate nasal changes after maxillomandibular surgery by means of images taken with a 3-dimensional digital camera.

Thirty-two patients (26 female and 6 male) with preoperative and postoperative 3-dimensional photographs were studied. The patients underwent maxillary movement with impaction (upward rotation), maxillary movement with lengthening (downward rotation), or maxillary movement without rotation. With the 3-dimensional imaging software, preoperative and postoperative calculations were performed for interalar width, internostril width, nasal tip projection, and columellar length from the 3-dimensional digital images. The nasolabial angle was also measured.

Postoperative interalar and internostril widening was significant (P<.05) for all 3 categories of maxillary movement. However, there was no statistically significant change in nasal tip projection and columellar length. Interestingly, movement of the maxilla with upward rotation did show a statistically significant decrease in the nasolabial angle.

Changes to the nose clearly occur after orthognathic surgery. There was a statistically significant increase in postoperative interalar width and internostril width with maxillary movement. However, no clear correlation could be determined between amount of change and maxillary movement. Interestingly, maxillary advancement did not show any significant change in nasal tip projection or columellar length, with data showing both increases and decreases in measurements. The nasolabial angle in patients who underwent maxillary advancement with impaction (upward rotation) was the only measurement that showed a statistically significant increase.